Gospel Workshop to be held in Guilford

The "Joyful Noise" Concert Series will hold the "Shoreline Soul" Community Choral Gospel Workshop, directed by professional singer, Angela Clemmons, at the First Congregational Church, on the Guilford Green, according to a statement.

All levels are welcome to participate and no auditions necessary, the statement said. 

The workshop is primarily for adults, but youths who are able to follow a lyric sheet are welcome to participate, the statement said. 

"The five, uplifting, 2-hour workshop sessions will culminate in a hand-clapping, foot-stomping concert, where the participants will perform the traditional and contemporary gospel songs they've learned. "

 "Our weekly sessions are upbeat, fun and very user-friendly," Angela Clemmons said, also in the statement. "No one needs to know how to read music.  All songs are taught by ear and everyone is given a practice CD.  Because it's all about the music and not a church service, we get singers from all faiths and even the faith-less.  It works well.  It's amazing how much the choir learns and how confident they become in five short weeks, particularly when many have never sung gospel before."

The five Monday sessions will be held on April 30, May 7, 14, 21, skip Memorial Day and resume for session five on June 4, the statement said.  All sessions are from 6:45 – 8:45 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, Guilford.

 The church is as the corner of Route 77 and Broad Street.  The concert, which is free and open to the public will be held at 3 p.m. June 10, with a pre-concert rehearsal at 1:45 p.m., the statement said.

The workshop registration fee is $90, the statement said.  Early registration, paid by April 16, is $80.  Registrations are being accepted by phone: 203-245-6944 or e-mail: shorelinesoul@comcast.net.  Some scholarships are available, the statement said. 

Angela Clemmons, has been a professional jingle and background singer for over 25 years.  She has worked with Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Steely Dan, Vanessa Williams, Martin Short, Gregory Hines, Sarah Brightman, Roberta Flack, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Bolton, Shania Twain, George Benson, among many others, the statement said.  Television appearances include: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, and the Late Show with David Letterman.  Her voice could also be heard on numerous TV and radio jingles for Burger King, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Coke, KFC, Slim Fast and many more.  She recorded two albums for CBS Records, which included the #4 disco hit, "Give Me Just A Little More Time".  Now the mother of two teenagers, Clemmons resides in Madison, the statement said.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Let's get engaged. Here's how.

If you are a follower of this blog, you know that you and others in the community can send your news and we will share it. Most of the time it's shared in your voice, your way. (and photos and images too)
Most of the time it gets tweeted or Facebooked or Google + too. That's a lot of love for community news and you can continue to send it our way.
But did you know there are other ways to share your voice too?
Our New Haven Register Community Engagement team stands ready to listen - and also to share. The team, Angela Carter and Ed Stannard, have a lot they are doing to bring the community into the Register's news coverage and listening to what the community wants. Right now the team is seeking your input on: Who are your favorite black novelists, poets and authors?
Matt DeRienzo, group editor of Journal Register Co. publications in Connecticut, including the New Haven Register, also likes to hear from you. He blogs about news, what his team is doing, what's new in the world of media, and recently even about love.
In his political blog, Jordan Fenster also loves to hear from you. Right now he and we want to know what you think about the death penalty in Connecticut. Leave him a message. (your thoughts, your voice, literally)
Further, Investigations Editor Michelle Tuccitto Sullo is giving a voice to those in Connecticut who can't speak for themselves: the missing.
These, of course, are not the only ways we share space with the community (we love the Valley and Milford and the rest of the communities too) and we would like to hear from you.
(Photo by Melanie Stengel)

Fighter for labor rights at New Haven's People's World celebration Sunday

NEW HAVEN — A fighter for the rights of labor will be the guest speaker at the People’s World’s celebration of Black History Month on Sunday.

Raglan George, executive director of District Council 1707, AFSCME, in New York, he serves on the national executive board of his union and is a long-time community activist, according to a press release.

The 38th annual African-American History Month Celebration will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the New Haven People’s Center, 37 Howe St.

The son of Caribbean immigrants, George was raised in Harlem “where he learned that the greatest contribution anyone can make to society is to fight for labor rights, peace and justice,” according to the release. “With these convictions, he embarked on a journey of political, social and labor activism to eradicate the ills of our society.”

George rose to become vice president of the Fur Leather Machine Workers Union Joint Board (now United Food and Commercial Workers Union) and executive director of Day Care/Head Start at DC1707. He is a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and Rainbow Coalition, a member of the advisory board of the Guyanese-American Workers United and vice chairman of the Coalition of Labor Union in Education.

Events this weekend’s will include a tribute to the legacy of Henry Winston, who organized African-American youth in the South in the 1930s and became national chairman of the Communist Party USA in 1966. A video of remarks by Angela Davis, a 1960s activist, at Winston’s centennial will be shown.

The event will open with the presentation of prizes and certificates of appreciation to participants in the high school arts and writing competition, “What is your vision for the future? How can being involved in the struggle for freedom and equality bring positive change to your life and the larger community?”

Drumming will be performed by Brian Jarawa Gray and the Hispanic Heritage Dancers and New Elm City Dream will perform dances. Children’s posters drawn on Martin Luther King’s birthday will be on exhibit.

The program will include a light buffet. Tickets are $5 or what you can afford. For information and to reserve a ticket, call 203-624-8664.

Westville Youth Association to hold baseball registration

NEW HAVEN — The Westville Youth Association will distribute and accept 2012 season baseball registrations for ages 5 to 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 5, 12 and 19 at the Mitchell Branch Library, 37 Harrison St.
The registration fee varies from $30 to $70 based on the league level and number of players per family. Registration is required for all new and returning players. The registration form is also available at www.teamzonesports.com/westvillebaseball.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Job fair to be held in Bridgeport

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., will act as host for a job fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the University of Bridgeport’s Arnold Bernhard Center, 84 Iranistan Ave., according to a statement.
The intent of the vent is to “connect Connecticut employers with prospective employees and provide resources for job seekers including free professional help with resumes and job interviews,” the statement said.
The event will include representatives to assist veterans who are seeking jobs, the statement said.
“Employers in the manufacturing, education, nursing, engineering, sales, banking, marketing, law enforcement, social services, and telecommunications fields will showcase their businesses, providing an opportunity for job-seekers to learn more about their field and apply for current openings,” the statement said.
The event is open to the public, the statement said.
The job fair is free for both businesses and prospective employees, the statement said.
Employers interested in reserving a spot may complete the form below and fax it to (860) 258-6958, the statement said.
Job seekers are encouraged to RSVP or send questions to jobfair@blumenthal.senate.gov. For more information call Blumenthal’s office at 860-258-6940.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

In Woodbridge, children's art with an innovative flair

The work of students of Palette Art Studio will be exhibited in March and April at the Woodbridge Public Library.

Their work represents a variety of technique, media, and content, artist and teacher Natasha Piskunova said in a statement.

"The artists used materials such as oil, watercolor, gouache, tempera, pencil, and ink to create still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and more. The participating artists range in age from five years old to adulthood," Piskunova said.

Piskunova founded Palette Art Studio in Cheshire in 1997.

Trained in Russian schools of classical and contemporary painting and drawing, Piskunova draws on her experience as a teacher of artistically-gifted children in St. Petersburg, the statement said. 

"Her studio employs both innovative and traditional teaching methods. Students are systematically introduced to the fundamental concepts and skills of painting and drawing," the statement said. "They learn to understand and manipulate structure, form, and color, while utilizing a broad range of mediums and techniques. At Palette Art Studio, personal artistic expression and growth is encouraged, and students enjoy the process of creation. Teaching methods are flexible and individualized, so that each student can thrive in a dynamic and exciting setting."

 In photos: The teapot: Still life, Karen Yang, 11 , 2009; the Cats, Emily Sadygov, 10, 2001; Spring, Angel Wang , 7, 2010; and still life. Yekaterina Satanina , 17.


The Woodbridge Library is  at 10 Newton Road. Find it on Facebook too.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Festa Di San Giuseppe 2012 to be held March 17

NEW HAVEN — Festa Di San Giuseppe 2012 will be held in honor of Saint Joseph and in memory of Giuseppina Pane from 6:30 p.m. to midnight March 17 at the Annex YMA Club, 554 Woodward Ave.
Menu, provided by Cusano by Maria Caterers, will include antipasto, penne alla vodka, cavatelli, meatballs and sausage, surf and turf, oven roasted potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad, traditional zepole Di San Giuseppe, coffe, tea and complimentary wine. BYOB.
There will be an Italian/American floor show will music by the Three Sicilian Tenors — Aaron Caruso, Elio Scaccio ad Sam Vitale, Graziaba Lazzaro, Anthony Ricciuti, Ray Suntino, Marc Garofalo and Craig Calistro and Friends.
Cost is $55 per person. Reservations are due my March 9. For tickets and more information, contact Nina at 203-787-0495, 203-804-1067 or ninasan@yahoo.com.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.